Post-office furniture.



R. T. BOURN.

POST OFFICE FURNITURE. APPucATloN man Nov.5.1913.

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R. T. BOURN.

POST OFFICE FURNITURE. APPLICATIONTILED NOV- 5,1913 1 ,1 99,524.Patented sept.. 26, 1916.

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lllfinesses,

- R. T. BOURN.

POST OFFICE FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 5. 1913.

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Fig. 119.

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grens cm Puonrumo.. usm/u FFIGE.

ROBERT T. BOURN, 0F TEMPLETON, MASSACHUSETTS.

POST-OFFICE FURNITURE.

To @ZZ lwhom it may] concern Be it known that I, ROBERT T. BoURN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Templeton, county ofIVorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inPost-Office Furniture, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, is a specication, like characters on thedrawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to post-oiice furniture such as is used forsorting and routing up mail preparatory to its being delivered by theletter carrier.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved form of routingcase by which the sorting and routing of the mail can be greatlyfacilitated, and which enables the post-ofiice employees to saveconsiderable time in the handling of the mail.

In order to give the proper understanding to the invention I haveillustrated in the drawings some selected embodiments thereof, which Iwill proceedto describe.

The novel features of the invention will be pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of a routing casemade in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionalview through the yrouting case shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detailperspective view of the device used for ,facing and sorting paper mail;Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the partit-ions shown at thetop of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view of the lock for theback cf the table top; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view onsubstantially the line a-a, Fig 2; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspectiveview showing the letter stop on the delivery side of the shelves; Fig. 8is a fragmentary perspective view showing a shelf back with wirepartitions supported thereby; Fig. 9 is a similar view showing adifferent embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 is a fragmentarysectional view showing one form of shelf support; Fig. 11 is a detailfragmentary perspective view of the end of the shelf back; Fig. 12 is adetail view showing the locking trip for the shelf back; Figs. 13, leand 15 are sectional views showing different forms of shelf supports;Figs. 16, 17 and 1S are detail views showing different ways of securingthe shelf back to the case; Fig. 19 is a fragmentary perspectiveSpecification of Letters Patent. Patented SEpij. 26, 1916.

Application iiled November 5, 1913.

Serial N0. 799,389.

view .of a portion of a shelf and shelf back showing one embodiment ofmy invention; Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional view on the line -b, Fig.2, showing the locking strip for the shelf back; Fig. 21 is afragmentary perspective view of a shelf and shelf back showing anotherembodiment of my inventlon.

The device herein shown comprises a table 1 of some suitable or usualconstruction on which the mail is received while it is being sorted, anda routing case 2 which is situated above the table 1 and is providedwith partitioned shelves on which the mail is placed as it is sorted.These shelves are shown at 3 and they are sustained by end uprights 4 ofthe routing case, as usual in post-office furniture of this character.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a carriers desk of theabovedescribed type which is .so constructed that the mail can beinserted into the compartmentsof the shelves from one side of the case 2and can be removed from the case from the opposite side thereof. Theadvantage of this construction is that the mail can be sorted and loadedinto the routing case by clerks in the post-office while the carriersare out on duty, and when the carriers return from one trip they canwithdraw the sorted mail from the opposite side of the rout-ing case andstart out immediately on a .second trip. This enables a considerablesaving to be effected in the handling of the mail.

In order to provide a construction of routing case which permits themail to be removed from the shelves on the opposite side of the casefrom that in which the mail is delivered to the shelves, severalconstructional features are necessary. If the shelves are provided withbacks which support the partitions, it is necessary to provide forremoving the backs to permit the mail to be withdrawn from the shelves.If, however, no backs are employed, then means must be provided forpreventing the mail from being pushed through the case when it is beingplaced in the various compartments.

In Fig. 2 I have shown someof the partitions as secured to backs whichare removable from the case, and other partitions as suspended fromabove the shelf. On the lower shelves in Fig. 2 the partitions aresecured to backsand I have illustrated two or three diilerent types ofpartitions which may be used. On the lower shell' l have shown apartition 5 formed of Wire, the pan titions being secured to a back Gwhich eX- tends the length ot the shelf. The upper leg 7 of thepartition 5 has its rear extremity 8 downtnrned and entering a recess inthe top 'of the back 6. rlie lower leg 9 of the partition extendsbeneath the back G, the latter preferably being provided .vith a grooveto receive the ivire, and is u aturned, as at 10, to overlie the back otthe casing, the eX- tremity 11 oi the Wire beine' bent inwardly to entera recess in the back iace of the back. This construction is clearlyshown in Fig. S, and the advantage of it is that any partition can bereadily removed from the back by simply raisins* the upper leg thereofout 0i engagement Tith the back and then pushing the partitionrearwardly to disconnect the portion 11 thereof from its recess in theback. rihe grooves in the top or the bottom -of tl e back G serve tohold the Wires firmly in their proper position.

he partitions shown in Fig. 8 and at the lower shelf in Fig. 2 areprovided With the upwardly-inclined portion 12 betvveen the front andback thereof Which serves to guide the letters in an upright position asthey are inserted in place.

The partitions 5a shovvn in Fig. 2 are also made oi vvire but are shapedto present at their front end the iin ger openings 13 'which provideaccess to the mail in the compartments in case it is desired to Withdrawit. In other respects this partition 59- is similar to that shov-:n in Fig. S.

The shelves 3 are provideo on their edges With routing strips 1i asusual in devices ot this nature, which routing strips guide the personin making' the proper routing oi' the mail. As stated above, my improvedcarriers desk is one which permits the mail to be removed from theopposite side of the case from that in which it is inserted and thisrequires that the backs 6 should be removable. rlhis may be provided forin any suitable Way Without departing from the invention. @ne convenientconstruction is that .hoivn in Figs. 2, 11, 12 and Q0 wherein the backsG are provided at their ends with headed studs 15 that cooperate Withlocking strips 16 secured to the sides l et the case 2. These lockingstrips 16 are provided with L-shaped slots 17, as shorvn clearly in Fig.12, said slots being properly spaced to receive the studs 15 on thebacks 6. The backs are inserted in position by entering the studs 15into the horizontal portion otl the slots 17 and then giving the. backsand the locking strips 16 a relative vertical movement to bring thestuds into the vertical portions of the slots. The above-describedrelative vertical movement can be given either'by moving the backsvertically or by moving the locking strips 16. It the locking strips 16are rigidly secured to the uprights 4c, then the backs may be placed inposition by entering the studs 15 into the horizontal portions ot theslots, and then dropping the backs to bring the studs into the verticalportions of the slots. The locking strips 16 may be movable verticallyto provide for the locking and unlocking of the backs and this is aconstruction shown in Fig. 2. For moving the locking strips they areextended down belov.T the table top and are pivoted to operating levers18 Which in turn are pivoted to the table, as at 19, said leversproviding means for raising and lowering the strips, will be obvious.

32 are removable stops to hold the levers 1S and locking strips 16 intheir elevated positions.

It will be understood that the backs 6 for the shelves are constructedto be removed from the left-hand side of the case in Fig. 2. 1n usingthe device as thus far described the mail to be sorted and routed isplaced on the table 1 and is delivered to the shelves 3 as it is sorted,the partitions 5, 5, etc., being in position during this sortingprocess. After the mail is sorted and routed the carrier can remove theshelf backs 6 with the partitions secured thereto and can then draw theshelves outwardly on the left-hand side of the routing case in Fig. 2,this being the side opposite to that at which thc mail Was delivered tothe case, thereby making the mail accessible to be bundled up in usualWay.

In order to insure that the mail Will be retained on the shelf when thelatter is drawn into the dotted line position Fig. 2, I propose toprovide the edge of the shelf at that side ot the case from Which themail is loaded onto the shelves (and which l will hereinafter refer tofor convenience as the loading7 side) with a letter stop or ledgeadapted to engage the loiver edges of the letters and compel them tomove forwardly With the shelf. This letter stop or ledge is shovvn at 2Oand may be made in any suitable or approved Way. I have also shown eachshelf 3 as provided on the opposite or unloading side with a letter stopor ledge 21 which operates to hold the letters on the shelves in casethey are Withdrawn from the case 2 en the loading side.

n order to provide a convenient support for the mail after it has beenremoved from the shelves 3 and While it is being bundled up by theletter carrier, I propose to make the top of the table 1 With anextension which is located on the unloading side of the case 2 and onWhich the mail may be laid While it is being bundled up. The.construction which l prefer is one in which the extension is a ioldableone so that vvhen folded up the desk will occupy a small space. In

the illustrated embodiment of the invention theV table 1 is providedwith a table top 22 having suflicient area to receive the mail which isto be sorted, and this top 22 has hinged to its unloading side anextension 23 which may be turned up into a vertical position, shown inFig. 2, thereby to form a back for the table, or may be turned down intohorizontal position, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 2 to provide asupport for the mail as it is taken from the shelves 3. I have shown aspring catch 24 for locking the extension 23 in vertical position, saidcatch being accessible for operation from the unloading side of thecarriers desk. While any suitable means may be employed for holding theextension 23 in its horizontal position, I have herein illustrated forthis purpose a pair of folding links 25 which are pivoted to theextension and to the sides 4, respectively. The table top 22 will alsopreferably be slidably mounted on the table so that it can be drawnbodily toward the unloading side of the table thereby to provide greaterroom for receiving the routed mail from the shelves than that affordedmerely by the extension 23.

In order to assist the carrier in sorting and routing the paper mail, Ipropose to use a routing device which can be placed on the table top 22and which divides said table top into compartments for receiving themail as it is` sorted. This routing device comprises a member 2G havinga beveled edge 27 to receive a routing strip and provided with aplurality of partitions or divisions 29 which may be made of wire or anyother suitable material and which extend laterally from the member 26.This routing device 1s placed on the table top 22 with the partitions 29directed inwardly from the edge of the table, as shown in Fig. 2, and itfurnishes .a very convenient device for holding the indi` vidual piecesof paper or package mail vin their proper positions during the routingoperation.

I have shown on the upper two shelves in Fig. 2 partitions which aresuspended from above, but which are not fastened to a shelf back as isthe case with the partitions on the shelves below. The partitions forthe upper shelf which are designated 5b are shown as made Afrom wire andare suspended from a cross piece 30 extending from one upright 4 to theother.y These wire partitions 5b are formed with the heel portion 31which is situated closely adjacent the shelf, and with the toe portion32 which projects forwardly and is located a slight distance above theshelf. The heel portion 31 prevents any letters from sliding under thepartitions from one compartment to another. These partitions are shownas secured to the supporting strip 30 by passing the ends of the wire upover the top of the strip and then bending said ends downwardly to entera recess in the top face of the strip.` The ends of the wire are held inthe strip byk means of a screw 33. The shelf next below the top isprovided with sheet metal partitions 5c which are secured to andsuspended from a supporting member 34C situated directly underneath thetop shelf. These partitions 5 are held in place by having their upperedges inserted into grooves formed on the underside of the supportingmember 34:, as best seen in Fig. 6, and the supporting member 34 is heldin its proper position by tie rods 35 which extend from one upright e tothe other and pass through the various partitions. The partitions 5c areshown as formed with the finger openings 13.

Where the stationary partitions 5b or 5c are employed I propose to makethem with a stop to engage the ledge 20 of the shelf, thereby to limitthe withdrawing movement of the shelf. In the case of t-he shelves thatare used with the removable backs 6, said shelves can be withdrawnentirely from the case 2 and laid on the table extension while the mailis being bundled up; but where the shelves are not capable of beingentirely withdrawn from the casing, it is desirable to provide a ledgeat the unloading side of the shelf which can be moved out of its'operative position so as to facilitate the removal of the mail from theshelf. In Fig. 7 I

have shown a ledge of this nature which comprises a strip or plate 36and means for holding said plate on the shelf either with its upper edgesufficiently above the level of the shelf to constitute the desiredstop, or yin a position flush with the top of the shelf, as shown indotted lines, Fig. 7. rIhe means herein shown for this purpose comprisesinclined slots 37 formed in the plate 36 through which extend headedstuds or screws 38. The lower ends of the slots are provided with therecesses 39 that are shaped to receive the studs 33 when the plates areelevated, said recesses having such a shape as to hold the plate in itselevated position. .Thisis the position it occupies when the mail isbeing placed on the shelves from the loading side. When the mail is tobe withdrawn from the shelves the plates 3G are moved laterally to carrythe studs 33 out of the recesses when the plates will gravitate to theirlowered position shown in dotted lines Fig. 7 with the top edge flushwith the top of the shelf.

The shelves may be supported in the case 2 in any appropriate way. InFigs. 10, 13, 14 and 15 I have shown different constructions embodyingthe invention. In Fig. 10 the shelf 3 is shown as supported on anangle-iron runner or guide 40 which is secured to the upright 4. In thisfigure also a second guiding member 11, preferably of angle shape, issecured to the upright 4L and engages the top of the shelf, the purposeof the guiding member 41 being to prevent the shelf from tipping downwhen it is partially withdrawn. In Fig. 15 I have shown a constructionwherein the angle-iron member 40 operates in a groove 42 formed in theedge of the shelf 3, and with this construction the tongue-and-grooveconnection will prevent the shelf from tipping when it is with` drawn.In Figs. 18 and 14 I show a construction wherein the shelf is supportedon a runner or guide member having the inclined portion 43 that isreceived in an inclined groove or saw-kerf 44 formed in the upright 4.This runner is shown as having the horizontally-extending part 45 whichmay either enter a groove formed in the edge of the shelf 3, as shown inFig. 14, or may engage the bottom of the shelf, as shown in Fig. 13. Ifthe latter construction is employed a guard member 46 will preferably besecured to the under side of the shelf, which guard member will engagethe under side of the shelf support 45, and thus prevent the shelf fromtipping when it is withdrawn.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a slightly different way of securing the wirepartitions 5 to the back 6. In this embodiment of the invention bothlegs 7 and 9 of the wire partition extend 'through grooves, formed inthe top and bottom of the back 6 and are bent laterally to overlie theback, as at 47, and the extremity of each leg is bent inwardly, as at48, to enter a recess formed in the back side of the back. Thepartitions are secured to the back by a clamping strip 49.

In Fig. 21 I have shown another embodiment of my invention relating tothe removable back. In this construction the removable back has securedto each end thereof a locking plate :B1-which is provided at its loweredge with a notch 52 and near its upper portion with a key-hole slot 53.The uprights 4 are provided with headed studs 55 which coperate-with thenotch 52 andl slot 53 in locking the back in position. This back can beremoved by lifting it suiiiciently to bring the head of the stud 55 inline with the largest portion of the key-hole slot, and then moving theback rearwardly.

In Fig. 19 I have shown another embodiment of the invention wherein thebacks 6 are held to the shelves 3 by means of. dowelpins 56 that areadapted to enter recesses 5T formed in the shelf. In this embodiment theback is locked to the shelf rather than to the uprights 4. The shelf inFig. 19 is shown as locked in its normal position by means of a springcatch 5S which can be readily Withdrawn whenever the shelf is to bepulled out.

In Figs. 16, 17 and 18 I have shown some other embodiments of myinvention which illustrate a construction in which the shelf back isnon-removable. In Fig. 16 the upright 4 is provided with a rib 60extending vertically thereof and the shelf backs 6 are provided withgrooves in their ends which receive the rib. This rib is shown in theform of a metal strip set into the inner face of the upright 4. In Fig.17 the upright 4 has secured to its inner face an angle-iron 61, one legof which constitutes a rib that enters the groove in the end of theshelf back 6. In Fig. 18 a construction similar to that shown in Fig.16'is employed except that the shelf back is situated entirely in frontof the rib 60 and is secured thereto by screws 62.

sired.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have also shown one of the shelves 3 as havingenlarged compartments formed between the wire partitions 64. Thesecompartments are designed to receive large mail, or may be used for themail of some concern which has a very large mail. The partitions 64 areshown as provided in their upper edges with V-shaped notches 65 adaptedto grip a cord or string 66 which may be laid in the compartment andused to bundle up the mail therein,.the ends of the string 66 beingfirmly held in the notches 65 while the mail is being placed in thecompartments.

The ends of the shelf backs 6 will preferably be incased in a metalmember to which the pins 15 are secured. In Fig. 11vthis metal end pieceis shown at 90 and it is formed from sheet metal which is struck up soas to present the two sides 91 that are shaped to form between them adove-tailed groove in which a dove-tailed rib formed on the end of theshelf back 6 is received. The member 90 extends below the shelf back, asshown at 92, and this projecting portion 92 constitutes a shelf stopwhich limits the movement of the shelf toward the left Fig. 2 when theback is in position. It will be noted that there are two pins or studs15 in each shelf back, and I propose to place the lower stud at theprojection 92. The advantage of this construction is that any blow whichmay be received against the shelf stop 92 by the shelf will betransmitted directly to the casing through the lower stud 15.

In Fig. 20 I have shown a little different embodiment of my inventionwherein the metal end member is shown at 90 and is made from a. castingwhich presents a back-Y In they construction shown in- Figs. 16 and 17the shelf back may be se-v cured to the rib by suitable screws if de-Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In post-office furniture, the combination with a table, of a routingcase situated above the table and comprisinguprights, shelves supportedby said uprights, and partitions dividing the shelves into compartmentswhich are open on one side of the' routing case for the insertion ofmail, said shelves being capable of being Withdrawn from the oppositeside of the ease and said opposite side of the case being unobstructedto permit of such Withdrawal whereby the mail may be removed from saidopposite side.

2. In post-office furniture, the combination With a table, of a routingcase situated above the table and comprising uprights, shelves supportedby said uprights, and partitions supported independently from theshelves and dividing the Vshelves into compartments Which are open on'one side of the routing case for the insertion of mail, said shelvesbeing capable of being Withdrawn from the opposite side of the case topermit the mail to be removed from said opposite side.

In 'post-oilice furniture, the combination `with a table, of a routingcase situated above the table and comprising uprights, shelves supportedby said uprights, and partitions dividing the shelves into compartmentswhich are open on one side of the routing case for the insertion ofmail, said shelves being Withdravvable from said case at either side andboth sides of the case being unobstructed to permit of such Withdrawal.

4f. In post-oiiice furniture, the combination with a table, of a routingcase situated above the table and comprising uprights, shelves supportedby said uprights, and partitions supported independently of the shelvesand dividing them into compartments which are open on one side of therouting case for the insertion of mail, said shelves being Withdrawablefrom said case at either' side, and means to prevent the mail which isbeing inserted into the compartments from passing through to theopposite side of the case.

5. In post-office furniture, the combination with a table, of a routingcase situated above the table and comprising uprights, shelves supportedby said uprights, and rpartitions dividing the shelves into compartmentswhich are open on one side of the case for the insertion of mail, saidshelves being W'ithdravvable from the opposite side of the case, andmeans associated with the shelves on the loading side to engage the mailand compel it to be withdrawn with the shelf. Y

6. In post-oliice furniture, the combination Withpa ,table, of a routingcase situated titions dividing the shelves into compartments which areopen on one side of the routing case 'for the insertion of mail, saidshelves being vvithdrawable from said case at either side and having oneach edge there` of a letter stop.

8. In post-ofhce furniture, the combination with a table, of a routingcase situated thereabove, shelves sustained by said routing case, andremovable from the back side thereof, removable backs for the shelves,and partitions sustained by said backs and dividing the shelves intocompartments.

9. In post-office furniture, the combination with a table, of a routingcase situated thereabove, shelves sustained by said routing case,removable backs for the shelves, and partitions sustained by said backsand dividing the shelves into compartments, said backs havingprojections extending from their ends and locking plates lsecured to thecase for removably engaging said projections.

10. In post-office furniture, the combination With a table, of a routingcase situated thereabove and comprising uprights, shelves supported bysaid Vuprights, a removable back for each shelf, partitions sustained bysaid back, each back having at each end thereof projections, lockingplates in the uprights having slots to removably engage saidprojections, and means to shift the plates thereby to unlock or lock thebacks.

ll. In post-office furniture, the combination With a table, of a routingcase situated thereabove, and comprising uprights, shelves supported bysaid uprights, and partitions dividing the shelves into compartments Ywhich are open on one 'side for the reception of mail, said shelvesbeing Withdrawable from the case at either side and said table tophaving on the opposite side a hinged extensionradapted to be swung intovertical position to form a back.

19. In post-oiiice furniture, the combination With a table, of a routing`case situated thereabove and comprising uprights, shelves supported bythe uprights, and partitions dividing the shelves into compartmentswhich are open on one side of the casefor the insertion of mail, saidshelves being Withdravvable from the opposite side of the Case es@ Sei@table haras e @Op provided with a foldable extension on said oppositeside of the case.

13. In post-ofiice furniture, the combination With a table, of a routingcase situated thereabove and comprising uprights, shelves supported bythe uprights and partitions dividing the shelves into compartments Whichare open on one side of the case for the insertion of mail, said shelvesbeing.

withdrawable from the opposite side of the case and said table having atop provided with a hinged back adapted to swing from the verticalposition into horizontal position in line with the table top.

14. In post-office furniture,A the combination with a table, of arouting case situated thereabove and constructed'to receive mail fromone side and to permit the mail to be delivered from the opposite side,said table having a table top movably mounted on the table so as to beprojected a greater or less distance on either side of the assertingcase, and said top having an extension hinged thereto en the deliveryside of the kcase which is adapted to be swung up into vertical positionto form a back.

15. In post-ofhce furniture, the combination with a table, of a routingcase sustained thereby and a paper-routing device movably sustained bythe table, said device comprising a member 26 having a beveledrouting-strip-receiving member, and a plurality of partitions extendinglaterally therefrom. l

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a framehaving shelves, of partitions dividing the shelves into compartments,some at leastof said partitions having string-gripping means at theirupper edges.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with a framehaving shelves, of partitions dividing` the shelves into compartments,some at least of said partitionsI having V-shaped string-grippingnotches in their upper edges. Y

18. In post-ofice furniture, the combina'- tion With a frame, of shelvesmovably sup-y ported thereby, and backs for the shelves, each backhaving at each end a depending projection to constitute a shelf stop.

19. In post-oiiice furniture, the combination with a frame presentingtvvo uprights, of shelves movably supported vby said uprights, backs forythe shelves, each back having at each end thereof a metal end memberwhich incloses the yend of the back, each end member presenting aport-ion Which pro-4 jects below the shelf back and constitutes a shelfstop. Y Y

20. In post-office furniture, the combination with a frame presentingtivo uprights,

of shelves movably supported by said uprights, backs for the shelves,each back having at each end thereof a metal end member which inclosesthe end of the back, each end member presenting a portion which projects below the shelf back and constitutes a shelf stop, studsexten-ding from the metal members7 and locking strips sustained` kby theuprights and having locking engagement Withthe studs.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of tivo subscribing Witnesses.

RoBERT T. Bonnin.

I/Vitnesses:

LoUIs C. SMITH, THOMAS JY. DRUMMOND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byIaddressingthe Commissioner of Patents,Y Washington, D. C.

